Roundabout toy



May 24, 1927. 1,630,091

1.. MARX I RQUNDABOUT TOY Filed July 19, I926 INVENTOR Louis Marx ATTORN EYS Patented May 24, 1927.

UNITED STATES LOUllIS .MARX, OF-BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ROUNDABOUT TOY.

Application, filed July 19,

This invention relates to a toy or amu'se merit device and more particularly to a mechanically operated toy; and has special reference tothe provision of an improved roundabout toy or amusement device.

One of the principal objects of my present invention comprehends the provision of an improved roundabout toy or amusement device in which a figure such as a vehicle or the like is caused to rotate about a platform with means provided operable by the rotation of the vehicle for causing a'nother figure simu lating a traffic officer to move into a position adjacent the path of, movement of the vehicle to indicate or signal the said vehicle to stop. A further and ancillary object of 'the invention comprehcnds the provision of a roundabout toy of this character in which means are provided for automatically bringing the vehicle to a stop or halt when the trafiic officer figure moves into stop'or halt signalling position.

' A further prime object of the invention comprehends the provision of an improved roundabout toy of the characterreferred to in which the means for automatically stopping the rotation of the vehicle and the means for actuating the movable traffic oiiiccr'figure are operated only after-the vehicle has moved uninterriu'itedly a plurality of cycles or revolutions about the platform so that the toy may be set to permit unhindered rotation of the vehicle for a plurality of revolutions or cycles. A

p A still further prime object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved roundabout toy embodying an automatic stop mechanism for the rotatable vehicle combined with a figure simulating a traffic officer acting in the performance of his duties in which all the parts are operated by a single motor mechanism, the said parts being constructed and inter-related'to permit of the manufacture of the toy with a minimum of operated parts and the durable use thereof with efiiciency. j I

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter more particularly described and sought to be defined in the claims; reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which: I v H i Fig. 1 is aperspective view of ammu- 1926. Serial No. 123,288.

about toy embodying the principles of my present invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary and enlarged bottom plan view thereof, I i

Fig 3 isa view thereof taken in cross section'on the line 3+3, Fig. 1, and

Fig. at is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a dctail thereof.

Referring now more in detail'to the drawings, the toy or roundabout device of my invention comprises in its general aspects a platform or support generally designated as A, the movable figure'B movable cyclically around the platform A and operated by a motor generally designated by the motor housing O on the platform A, the cyclic rot non of the figure B being controlled by an automatic stop mechanism operating in conjunction with the movement of a figure simulating a traflic officer, all generally designated as D. i

t The platform or support A is preferably of the type inwhicli an annular track is provided for the movement of the movable figure. andsaid platform comprises a central disk section 105% annular section 11, the said annular section being spaced from the central disk sectionlO so as to provide or detine an annular track 12 in which the figure B moves. The annularfsect-ion 11 is provided with a depending skirt portion 13 which forms a support for the toy and the disk section 10 is supported on. theannular section 11 by means of a plurality of arches 14, 14 (three in number) which may be given any desired contour or design. The disk section 10 supports theoperating and operated parts of the toy, as will be seen more in detail hereinafter. v

' The movable figure B may be made to sim ula'tea figure or animal, andin the construction exemplified in the drawings the figure is shown in the formof an automotive vehicle which in its simplest form may be made of sditably embellished sheet material cut and bent into the desired configiiration.

The vehiclc figure B is cyclically rotated in the annular track12 by means of the motor which is stipport'ed on the disk section 10 of the platfornnwhich motor (not shown) is housed in the motor casing C through which projects a winding key 15 adapted to be grasped forwinding'the motor, the said iho'tor including a driven shaft 16 which extends to the underneath of the disk section 10 of the platform and which is preferably integral with a radially extending connecting rod 17 which is provided at its front end with an upwardly bentportion 18 fixed to the vehicle B. From this construction it will be apparent that when the motor is energized by the winding key 15, the operating shaft 16 thereof will be actuated to move the vehicle B cyclically in its track.

The automatic stop mechanism D in the presentform of my invention comprises means which is movable transversely of the 'platform into the path of movement of the rotatable figure to auton'iatically stop the rotation of said figure; and in the preferred construction said means includes mechanism operable only after the figure has moved uninterruptedly a plurality of cycles or revolutions about said platform. In the preferred construction this means comprises a springactuated member 19 slidably movable on a rod 20 arranged underneath the platform 10 between the full and dotted line positions shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which rod is anchored to the platform at points 21 and 22 thereon. The member 19 is normally held in the full-line position by means of a latch 23 pivoted at 2-1 on the platform 10, the said latch being held in its normal latching position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings by means of the leaf spring 25 anchored at 26 to the underneath side of the platform, the said latch being movable by means hereinafter to be described into the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 2 to release the slid'able member 19, which latter is actuated by means of the compressed spring 27 which encircles the supporting rod 20. \Vhen the latch 23 is operated to the unlatching position, the member 19 will be spring-projected into the dotted line position and into the path of movement of the vehicle driving rod 17, bringing the vehicle B to a halt. 7

Combined with the automatic stop mechanism for the vehicle, I provide a figure movable above the platform 10, the said figure simulating a motorcycle trafiic officer, which figure is made preferably integral with the automatic stop mechanism so that both are simultaneously operated when the latch is released. This trafiic oflicer figure comprises the wheeled member 28 movable from a concealed position behind the motor casing C as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3 to a position adjacent the vehicle B as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the latter position being the stop indicating position. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the figure in the stop indicating position simulates the signalling to the Vehicle B to bring the latter to a stop or halt, the same being stopped by the simultaneous operation of the stop member 19. The figure 28 made of any suitable sheet material is integral with the parts 19 of the stop member 19, which parts project through an elongated slot 29 arranged in and transversely of the platform disk 10, the said slot defining the locus of movement of the traflice oflicer 28.

In the preferred construction, as aforesaid, the automatic stop mechanism and the trafiic ofiicer figure are operated only after the rotatable figure has moved a plurality of cycles or revolutions, and this is accomplished by the provision of a rotatable element 30 having a predetermined number, such as five, pins 31, 31 thereon which projcct in the path of movement of a linger 3 fixed to the connecting rod 17, the construction being such that during each revolution of the vehicle and the rod 17, a pin 31 is engaged by the finger 32 to move the rotatable element 30 a part such as a fifth of a turn in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The rotatable element 30 is provided with a latch releasing finger 33 which partakes of the more ment of the rotatable element 30 and which is therefore brought into a position to pass and engage the terminal linger 31 of the latch 23 after the element 30 has made a complete revolution, this being ell'ected after the vehicle B has made five revolutions. hen the latch 23 is thus engaged, the same is moved to the dotted-line position, effecting the release of the elements of the stop mechanism D which brings the vehicle to a halt and causes the tratlic otliccr figure 28 to be projected into the stop indicating position. Preferably to produce a braking action on the rotatable element 30 the same is provided with a. spring washer interposed between the element 30 and the platform disk 10, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

By means of this construction, therefore. it will be seen that after the rotatable vehicle B has moved a plurality of cycles. the mechanism D normally held in retracted position is released by the operation of the vehicle B to bring the vehicle to a halt and to move the traffic oflicer figure 28 from a concealed position to a halt indicating position. To release the parts in order to permit continued activity of the toy for another plurality ofcycles until the operating motor is unwound, it is only necessary to manually move the motorcycle figure 28 back to the full-line position shown in Fig. 1 and by so doing, the spring operated latch 23 returns to the full-line position shown in Fig. 2, latching the parts in their normal or retracted positions. The rotatable elcment 30 is at such time in a position to permit the continued operation or rotation of the vehicle B.

The use and operation of my roundabout toy and the many advantages thereof will in the main be apparent from the above detailed description thereof. It Will be fur cyclically around saidplatform and connectedto and operated by said motor,'and an automatic stop mechanism for the rotatable figure, said stop mechanism comprising means movable transversely of said platform into the. path of movement of the rotatable figure to automatically stop the rotation of said figure, said means including mechanism operable after the figure has moved uninterruptedlya plurality of cycles or revolutions about said platform. V i 2. In an amusement device, a platform, a motor on said platform, a figure rotatable cyclically around said platform and connected to and operated by said motor, and an automatic stop mechanism for the rotatable figure, said stop mechanism comprising means movable transversely of said platform into the path of movement of the rotatable figure to automatically-stop the rotation'of said figure, said means including mechanism operable by the movement of said figure after the figure has moved uninterruptedly a plurality of cycles or revolutionsabout said platform. 7 s i 3. In an amusement device, a platform, a motor on said platform, a figure rotatable cyclically around said platform and con-j. nected to and operated by said motor, and an automatic stop meclianisnrfor the rotat able figure, said stop mechanism comprisins; means normally held in a retracted position and movable transversely of said platforminto the path of movement of the rotatable figure to automatically stop the rotation of said figure, and mechanism operated by the movement of the figure for re-.

leasing the stop mechanism.

4. In an amusement device, a platform, a motor on said platform, a figure rotatable cyclically around said platform and connected to and operated by said motor, a second figure on said platform normally held in a retracted position and movable transversely of said platform into a position adjacent the path of movement of said rotatable figure, mechanism for stopping the movement of said rotatable figure and means operable for releasing said second figure to permit the same to move into cooperation With said rotatable figure and for simultaneously actuating the stop mechanism to stop the rotation of the rotatable figure.

5. In an amusement device, a platform, a motor on said platform, a vehicle figure rotatable cyclically around said platform and connected to and operated by said 1notor, a second figure slmulatlng acmotorcycle trafic officer on said platform normally held in a retracted position and projectable transversely of said platform into a stop indicating position adjacent'tlie path of movement of said vehicle figure, mechanism for stopping the movementof said vehicle figure and means operable for releasing said second figure to ,permit the same to move into its stop indicating position and for simultaneously actuatingthe stop mechanism to stop the rotation of the vehicle figure.

6. In an amusementdevice, a platform, a motor on said platform, a figure rotatable cyclically around said platform and connected to andoperated 'by said motor, a

second figure on said platform normally held in a retracted position and movable transversely of said platform into a position adjacent the path of movement of said rotatable figure, mechanism for stopping the movement of said rotatable figure and means operable after the rotatable figure has moved uninterru itedly a plurality of cycles about i said platform for releasing-said seco'ndfigure to permit the same to move into cooperation with said rotatable figure and for simultaneously actuating the stop mechanism to stop the rotation 'of'the rotatable figure.

7. In an amusement device, a platform, a, motor on said platformpa figure rotatable cyclically around said"platform and con nected to and. operated by said motor, a second figure movabletransversely on said platform, spring actuated means for operating said second figure normally held in a retracted position, mechanism for stopping the movement of said rotatable figureand means op erableiby themovement of the rotatable figure to release the spring actuated means to permit the second figure to move into cooperation with said rotatable figure and for simultaneously actuating the stop mechanism to stop the rotation of the rotatable figure.

' 8. In an amusement device, a platform, a motor on said platform, a figure rotatable cyclically around said platform and connected to and operated by said motor, a second figure movable transversely on said platform, spring actuated means for operating said second figure, a latch for normally holding the spring actuated means in a retracted position, mechanism integral with the spring actuated means for stopping the movement of said rotatable figure and means operable to release said latch to permit the second figure to move into cooperation with said rotatable figure and to permit operation of the stop mechanism.

9. In an amusement device, a platform, a motor on said platform, a figure rotatable cyclically around said platform and connected to and operated by said motor, a second figure movable transversely on said platform, spring actuated means for operating said second figure, a latch for normally holding the spring actuated means in a retracted position, mechanism integral with the spring actuated means for stopping the movement of said rotatable figure and means operable to release said latch to permit the second figure to move into cooperation with said rotatable figure and to permit operation of the stop mechanism, said latch releasing means including inst-rumentalities operable by the movement of the rotatable figure after the same has movedunhindered a plurality of cycles about said platform.

10. In a device oi the class described, a vehicle movable in a predetermined path, a motor operating said vehicle, a figure normally held in a retracted position and movable into a position adjacent the path of movement of said vehicle, mechanism for stopping the movement of said vehicle and means operable for releasing said figure and causing the same to move into cooperation with said vehicle and for simultaneously actuating the stop mechanism to stop the movement of said vehicle.

11. In a device of the class described, a vehicle movable in a predetermined path, a motor operating said vehicle, a simulated motorcycle trafiic oificer figure normally held in a concealed retracted position and movable transversely into a position adjacent the path of movement of said vehicle, spring actuated means for operating the figure, mechanism for stopping the movement of said vehicle and means operable tor releasing said figure and causing the same to be projected by the spring actuated means into cooperation with. said vehicle and for simultaneously actuating the stop mechanism to stop the movement of said vehicle.

12. In a device of the class described, a support, a vehicle movable in a predetermined path relative to the support, a motor operating said vehicle, a wheeled figure above said support normally held in a re' tracted position thereon and movable into a position adjacent the path of movement of said vehicle, mechanism below said support movable into the path of movement of the vehicle for stopping the movement of said vehicle and means operable by the movement of the vehicle for releasing said figure and causing the same to move into cooperation with said vehicle and for simultaneously actuating the stop mechanism to stop the movement of said vehicle.

13(In a device of the class described, a platform, a vehicle movable in a predetermined circular path, a motor operating said vehicle, a wheeled figure movable above said platform from a retracted position into a position adjacent the path of movement of said vehicle, spring actuated means for operating the wheeled figure, a latch for said spring actuated means, mechanism integral vvith said means for stopping the movement of said vehicle and means operable by the vehicle for releasing said latch and causing the wheeled figure to move into cooperation with said vehicle and causing the stop mechanism to stop the movement of said vehicle.

14. In a device of the class described, a platform, a vehicle movable in a predetermined circular path, a motor operating said vehicle, a wheeled figure movable above said platform from a retracted position into a position adjacent the path of movement of said vehicle, spring actuated means for operating the wheeled figure, a latch for said spring actuated means, mechanism integral with said means for stopping the movement of said vehicle, means operable for releasing said latch and causing the figure to move into cooperation with said vehicle and causing the stop mechanism to stop the movement of said vehicle, and means operated by the vehicle after the same has made a plurality of revolutions for operating the latch releasing means.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York this 15th day of July, A. D. 1926.

LOUIS MARX. 

